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As we streamed through the front gates of the Wells Fargo Pavillion, my 9-year-old daughter and I were giddy with anticipation for the opening performance of Music Circus’ Seussical. The welcoming courtyard with fountain added just the right ambiance to assure us that we were going to have a wonderful time.

Once seated, we noticed the stage set up was simple, yet impressive; there was a giant red and white striped Cat in the Hat hat, placed in the center of the round stage. As soon as the show started, you were quickly drawn into the whimsical world of all your favorite Dr. Seuss characters. The main theme for Seussical is “a person’s a person no matter how small,” but there are many, many other familiar messages hidden throughout the show as well. My daughter loved the story line; she was especially impressed when Horton the Elephant saved the Who’s in the end of the play. Young actor Josh Davis and his wonderful voice were truly impressive.

Josh Davis as JoJo. Photo by Kevin Graft.

While this was not the first time we’ve seen Seussical, we were delighted to see that Music Circus had added a few embellishments of its own to the musical. Having the moving stage in the middle of the room, like a circus arena, made the performance very intimate and gave everyone in the audience a great view of the stage.

All in all, Seussical is a whimsically fun treat for people of all ages. Seeing audience members from ages 4 to 84 reminded me that Dr. Seuss’ stories are just as relevant today as they were when first published.

Seussical takes over the Wells Fargo Pavilion through July 17. For tickets and showtimes, visit the musical’s listing on Sacramento365.

Note: If you and your little one are planning to snack, head to the concession stands before the show (treats are welcome inside the theater during performances.) The 20-minute intermission gives you enough time to stand in line to purchase food, or run to the restroom, but probably not both.

This blog post was written by Sacramento Kids contributor Ida Christian.

This 2nd Saturday is going to be packed with great art, music, and tasty treats! Join me on my jaunt around town to some of the art exhibits and events that I’m most excited for this July!

Bare Earth:
My first stop of the day will be at the Elliot Fouts Gallery to check out Micah Crandall-Bear’s latest exhibit, Telluric. Stripping down the details and focusing on colors palettes, this exhibition features a series of abstract landscapes, making you rethink the fine art form. Afterwards, I’ll jet over to Ginger Elizabeth to snag one of their delicious ice cream sundaes (limited supply, be sure to get there early!).

Photo courtesy of Micah Crandall-Bear

Bright and Sunny:
My next stop of the day will be at the Tim Collom Gallery to check out their exhibit, simply titled, Summer. Through a variety of mediums, 17 Northern Californian artists will show off works that define what the season is truly about. After scoping out a slice of summer, I’ll head over to Sawasdee to cool off with a Thai iced tea and some Tom Kha.

Photo courtesy of the Tim Collom Gallery and Cindy Wilson

Chaos of the Streets:
My yearning for midday coffee will lead me to Shine and Anthony Anderson’sStreet Squares. Each piece in this collection is an abstract compilation of building texture/decay, graffiti, and the miscellaneous items you’d find on the street. Sandra Dee’s is just a block away, offering soul food and its famous House Lemonade.

This month, we connected with Calidanza’s Artistic Director to learn more about his life-long passion. As the leader of the Calidanza folk dance company, Valencia seeks to advance, celebrate, and preserve the culture of Latino, Chicano, and Native populations for generations. And he’s been pretty good at it. He’s worked and toured with some of the best instructors from across the border, choreographed traditional and modern professional productions in and around the Sacramento region, and was even awarded the 2011 Maestro Award from The Latino Arts Network of California for his efforts. What may be the most peculiar thing about Valencia’s success is that he juggles his time at Calidanza with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Read on and discover what quite literally moves our featured artist here.

June’s 2nd Saturday is sure to be a blast with galleries and pop-up events celebrating everything that makes Sacramento great. I’ll be making stops at some of the most exciting art events around town, so clear your Saturday plans and join in on the fun!

Party With the Crocker:
I’ll be starting off this 2nd Saturday by heading out to Steve Jones Park for the Crocker Art Museums’s 2nd Block-by-Block party. This traveling block party aims to unite the community and the Museum by featuring over 10 performances, great food, and awe-inspiring art. After enriching my creative spirit, I’ll jet over to Las Islitas (7240 24th St, Sacramento, CA 95822) for some ceviche and a Mega Michelada.

Photo courtesy of Crocker Art Museum’s Block-by-Block

A Play on Words:
My next stop will take me back to the grid to R St Corridor’s ARTHOUSESee It With Words exhibition. Showcasing the work of local artists/authors Michelle Andres and Judy Jacobs, the duo will present the inner-workings of an author’s mind through abstract spoken, implied, and visual representations.

Curated Art and Cured Meats:
Heading over to the heart of Midtown, I’ll be checking out Little Relics’Wheels: An Ode to Dad. Featuring work from a trio of talented artists — Char Hall, Chad Lenzi, and Peter Wedel — the show focuses on father figures behind the wheel. Charcuterie and a cocktail from nearby Block Butcher Bar will be the perfect treat after all that walking. To make this stop even sweeter, eat out on the patio to enjoy the sounds of the June edition of THIS Midtown.

Photo courtesy of Chad Lenzi

First of its Kind:
My final stop for the night will be at Chief Piercing’s first ever art exhibition, Agony X Ecstasy, featuring the joint works of Adam Gee and Ben Robin. Gee’s works range from collages to drawing “tattoos” on photographs, while Robin has some seriously cool abstract creations. This stop is particularly exciting to me because it’s a first time exhibit; I can’t wait to show support in hopes of more exhibits in the future. The Roaming Spoon will be on hand to dole out some tasty vegan treats, but if that doesn’t fill me up I’ll definitely be sliding over to Tapa the World for some more small bites.

“Beware of artists: they mix with all classes of society and
therefore are the most dangerous.”

This month Sacramento365.com met up with one of Sacramento’s most sought out artists, Maren Conrad. Best known for striking metal leaf and layered resin paintings, her work, inspired by her subconscious, connects to universal truths and experiences through text and delicate koi fish and feathers designs. She’s also known for famously ruffling a few figurative feathers with her censored “Politically Vulnerable” collection.

This June we encourage you to get to know Conrad’s dangerous mind and her plans to keep shaking up Sacramento’s art scene here.

“To get to [the people’s] heart, you have to get to their feet.” – Berry Gordy

And that’s what Motown Records and its hit-making artists did. Despite operating during the time of overt de facto discrimination, the black-owned powerhouse and its iconic Motown Sound persevered and, quite literally, moved a generation. Broadway Sacramento caps off its successful 2015-2016 season retelling the company’s vibrant origin story with Motown the Musical.

The musical’s book, penned by Motown’s founder Berry Gordy, begins and ends with Motown 25th Anniversary Show. Filling most of the 160 minutes of stage time are a series of flashbacks, highlighting the trials, tribulations, and artists that shaped the legendary independent record company. (You’ll see everyone from Marvin Gaye to Rick James.) Of course, Berry Gordy’s love affair with Diana Ross is examined as well. Projected TV clips and the company’s changing fashions give temporal clues for the 45 years covered during the show.

Lean on character development, the musical instead makes room for the legendary Motown catalog to shine; of the over 180 hits produced under Gordy’s leadership; 66 Motown songs were infused throughout the production. Diana Ross’s campy, interactive solo debut at the Frontier Hotel and any The Jackson 5 number were the hands-down highlights of the already spectacular show. Also impressive was the fact that many cast members played up to five different characters, makes sense given Motown’s revolving door of talent.

Photo by Joan Marcus.

In Motown the Musical you’ll learn the lessons of loyalty, pride, competition, but most importantly, never giving up on your dreams.

Don’t miss your chance to hear the music and magic of Motown the Musical. The Motown Sound takes over the Community Center Theater stage now through Sunday, May 29. For ticket and show details, click here.

Disclaimer: While this is an all ages show, the “n-word” is used briefly in during the traveling Motortown Revue scene. There is also an implied (though hilarious) sex scene.

***This blog post was written by Sacramento365.com’s Content and Social Media Coordinator Jamila B. Khan.

In honor of May is Bike Month, I’ll be hitting the pavement on my leg-powered two-wheeler to explore Sacramento’s Second Saturday events. Why don’t you grab your bike and join me on this artistic ride?

Shop ‘nSuds:
My next stop will take me to Fremont Park for the May edition of the River City Marketplace. This market is packed to the gills with trinkets and unique gifts handcrafted by local artists, designers, and, crafters. After perusing the wares, I’ll head up the street to University of Beer to quench my thirst with one (or two) of the 100 beers on tap!

Photo courtesy of River City Marketplace

Colorful Art and Food:
After a short ride, I’ll reach the R Street District and join WAL Public Market‘s to see Things Whose Purpose Is Slowness from Christie Yuri Noh. Noh’s paintings are full of wonder and contrasting colors. Her paintings range from everyday life to explosions of color over bland backgrounds. After I’ve had my fill of Noh’s works, I’ll be heading to Fish Face to grab their daily poke special.

Photo courtesy of Christie Yuri Noh

Freaky Deaky Fun:
After a bit of liquid courage from Paragary’s, I’ll make my final pitstop at The TUBE Circus. Promising to bring out the “freaks, geeks, and things you can’t unsee,” this show will definitely be out there: contortionists, acrobats, jugglers, and a variety of performance artists will get you flying your freak flag high with pride.